- Time Period: Nazi Germany (Interwars Period, World War II)
- Institution: 19 August 1940
- Country: Germany
The Narvik Shield (or Narvikschild in German) is a World War II German military decoration awarded to all German forces that took part in the battles of Narvik between 9 April and 8 June 1940.
The decoration was instituted on 19 August 1940 by Adolf Hitler. The Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW) published the order the same day.
A total of 8,577 military personnel received the award. It was bestowed by General Eduard Dietl, the commander of Army Group Narvik.
In 1957, the Narvik Shield, along with many other German military decorations of World War II, was reauthorized for wear by qualifying veterans. The new version was without the eagle and swastika symbol of the Third Reich.
The Narvik Shield Design
Designed by Professor Dr Richard Klein of Munich, the narrow shield features a pointed bottom and, at its apex, an eagle with down-swept wings clutching a laurel wreath that surrounds a swastika. Below this in capital letters is written NARVIK.
The body of the shield features an edelweiss (representing the Heer mountain troops), an anchor (representing the Kriegsmarine), and propeller (for the Luftwaffe). The anchor and propeller are crossed, with the edelweiss placed at the top of the X. The numbers 19 and 40 appear at the top corners of the main body of the shield.
The shield was hollow backed and stamped from sheet metal which was usually zinc. It was worn on the upper left arm of the uniform. The shield was awarded in two versions; silver-gray versions for army and Luftwaffe and a gilded (golden coloured) version for Kriegsmarine.
More Nazi Germany Shields (Ärmelschilde)
These campaign shields were awarded to members of the Wehrmacht (the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945). They were given for participation in specific battles or campaigns and worn on the left upper arm of the uniform jacket.
The Cholm Shield
The Cholm Shield (Cholmschild) is a World War II German military decoration awarded to those who fought in the Cholm Pocket.
The Dunkirk Shield (Projected)
The Dunkirk Shield (Dünkirchenschild) was a projected WW2 Third Reich decoration planned for participants in the Siege of Dunkirk (1944–45).
The Kuban Shield
The Kuban Shield is a World War II military decoration awarded to those who fought at the Kuban bridgehead in the Soviet Union.
The Stalingrad Shield (Projected)
The Stalingrad Shield (Stalingradschild) was a projected WW2 Third Reich decoration planned for participants in the Battle of Stalingrad.
